Mechanicsburg, PA — Sunbury Press, the trade publisher based in Pennsylvania, has released its list of top selling novels of all time:

The Closerby Alan Mindell — R. A. Dickey was the first knuckleball pitcher to ever win a coveted Cy Young Award–despite spending most of his career in the minor leagues. Terry Landers, also a knuckleballer, is Dickey`s fictional counterpart in The Closer. The main difference, aside from winning the Cy Young, is that at age thirty-three, Terry has never played in the majors. Once he finally gets his chance, what follows is the heartwarming story of his impact both on the pitching mound and with a family in distress. “The Closer is an Award Winning book. Written with extraordinary compassion and deep attunement to the human psyche, Alan deftly defines the keys to a positive mind and winning the Game of Life. A book that is sure to change minds. Alan outlines the secrets to success pertinent in the life of each and every reader. Everyone wants to be a winner. From ‘Loser’ to ‘Closer’ – don’t put it down until you’ve reached the end!” — online reviewer.

the 100th human by Chris Fenwick — December 2012 – The final day of the 5000 year old Mayan calendar nears. The world is in turmoil – as wars and international tensions continue. People everywhere seem lost in the complications of day to day struggles – poverty – misfortune – anger and greed. A small team of scientists have uncovered a riddle concerning this “End of Days”. As they reveal the symbolic meaning of the riddle, their serendipitous mission is discovered by the Ancient Fraternity of the Veni Victus – determined to thwart such revelations. These two powers – of good and evil – converge. Only the spirits of the ancients know the outcome. The 100th Human is a spiritual quest delving deeply into matters of physics, metaphysics, evolution and the human condition. Join Jack, Apu and Alana as they race against time searching for those who can assist in revealing the mystery of the ancient symbols – before time literally runs out. (THIS TITLE IS OUT OF PRINT)

Winter of the Metal Peopleby Dennis Herrick — The Untold Story of America’s First Indian War. The first named war between the Europeans and the Native Americans was the nearly forgotten Tiguex War, which Spaniards and their Mexican Indian allies fought in 1540-42 against the Pueblo Indians along the Rio Grande, between present-day Albuquerque and Santa Fe in New Mexico. This historical novel “Winter of the Metal People” presents the first account of the war written from the Puebloan point of view. It follows a young Pueblo warrior who reluctantly takes leadership of his people in a time of crisis, overcoming self-doubt to lead Puebloans in successful guerilla warfare against the Spaniards. Praise for Winter of the Metal People and author Dennis Herrick: “A riveting historical novel of immense scholarship and insight. Dennis Herrick makes the story of the first American Indians in the West to face the military might of European forces as vivid and real as if Coronado’s expedition had ridden out of Mexico yesterday. Winter of the Metal People will forever influence your perception of the stunning landscapes and rich cultures of the Southwest.”—Margaret Coel, author of Killing Custer

The Sign of the Eagle by Jess Steven Hughes — This breathtaking historical novel of action and suspense is set in the year 71 A.D. amid the exotic and vibrant streets of Ancient Rome. Macha, the strong-willed daughter of a legendary Celtic British king and wife of the Roman tribune, Titus, is the only one who can prove her husband innocent of treason, solve the murders of two slaves who possessed information that could have exonerated Titus, and ultimately save the life of the Roman Emperor Vespasian. Vivacious and iron-willed, Macha undertakes a dangerous journey and fight for her life to evade assassins through the city’s treacherous back alleys, notorious bath houses, and the awe-inspiring palaces of the Roman elite. With time running out to save her husband and the emperor from certain death, Macha can count on only two allies, the esteemed Senator Bassus-a family friend-and her faithful slave, a resolute and clever Moorish woman, Shafer. Arrayed against Macha and Titus are the wealthy and wicked Pollia, once scorned as a bride by Titus, and Falco, a military tribune and womanizer, who offers to be Macha’s protector once Titus is condemned and executed. Join Macha in her quest to exonerate her husband…and discover the real threat against the Emperor…

The Cursed Manby Keith Rommel — WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF DEATH FELL IN LOVE WITH YOU? Alister Kunkle believes death is in love with him. A simple smile from friend or stranger is all it takes to encourage death to kill. With his family deceased and a path of destruction behind him, Alister sits inside a mental institution, sworn to silence and separated from the rest of the world, haunted by his inability to escape death’s preferential treatment. But when a beautiful psychologist arrives at the institution and starts offering him care, Alister braces himself for more killings. When none follow, he tries to figure out whether he truly is insane or if death has finally come to him in the form of a woman. COMING SOON AS A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Sunbury Press has released the bestsellers list for May. James Campbell’s aid to pastors handling the elderly, What Do You Say? earned the top spot. Winter of the Metal People by Dennis Herrick was second.

SUNBURY PRESS – Bestsellers for May, 2016 (by Revenue)

Rank

Last Month

Title

Author

Category

1

NEW

What Do You Say?

James Campbell

Pastoral Resources

2

20

Winter of the Metal People

Dennis Herrick

Historical Fiction

3

3

Choice of Enemies

M A Richards

Spy Thriller

4

5

Israel Under Siege

Scot McCauley

Espionage Fiction

5

—

The Oxygen Factory

Renee des Lauriers

YA Dystopian Fiction

6

12

The B Team

Alan Mindell

Sports Fiction

7

—

Blue Lines Up In Arms

James Craig Atchison

Thriller Fiction

8

4

Amelia Earhart: The Truth at Last, 2nd Ed.

Mike Campbell

History

9

6

Where Elephants Fought

Bridget Smith

Historical Fiction

10

—

The Penns’ Manor of Spread Eagle and the Grist Mills of the Mahantango Valley

Steve Troutman

History

11

—

Call Sign Dracula

Joe Fair

Vietnam Memoir

12

14

Between Good and Evil

R Michael Phillips

Detective Thriller

13

NEW

The Mask of Minos

Robert Walton

Thriller Fiction

14

—

Rising Sun Descending

Wade Fowler

Historical Fiction

15

—

Pit Bulls

Anthony Julian

History

16

—

Keystone Tombstones Civil War

Joe Farrell, Joe Farley & Lawrence Knorr

History

17

—

Keep It Blue

Haley Dean

Literary Fiction

18

—

Ionica

Catalina Petcov

Memoir

19

11

Freemasons at Gettysburg

Sheldon Munn

History

20

7

The Closer

Alan Mindell

Sports Fiction

21

—

Going Home

Sharon Marchisello

Thriller Fiction

22

—

GXM731

Terry Ray

Science Fiction

23

30

That Night at Surigao

Ernie Marshall

History

24

9

The Ripper’s Haunts

Michael Hawley

History

25

—

Seeking Samiel

Catherine Jordan

Thriller Fiction

26

13

A Moment in the Sun

Tory Gates

YA Fiction

27

NEW

Death by Internet

Joe Carvalko

Speculative Fiction

28

—

Pink Flamingos All Around

Matt Anderson

Childrens

29

—

The Bookseller’s Secret

Catherine Jordan

Thriller Fiction

30

—

The Devil Tree

Keith Rommel

Thriller Fiction

James Campbell’s “What Do You Say?” returned to print for the first time in 25 years and took the top spot thanks to author activities. “Winter of the Metal People” by Dennis Herrick climbed to #2 due to a large order from a school district in New Mexico. M A Richards’ spy thriller “A Choice of Enemies” held at #3 due to the author’s tour of bookstores in the northeast. Admiral McCauley’s international thriller “Israel Under Siege” notched up to #4 thanks to bookstore orders. “The Oxygen Factory,” the YA dystopian novel from Renee des Lauriers returned to the rankings at #5 due to author activities. Alan Mindell’s “The B Team” took #6 and “The Closer” #20 thanks to author appearances in southern California. James Craig Atchison’s “Blue Lines Up In Arms” returned to the rankings at #7 as the author appeared at Pennsylvania bookstores. Mike Campbell’s “Amelia Earhart: The Truth at Last” continues to sell well at #8 as readers acquire this second edition. Bridget Smith’s historical fiction “Where Elephants Fought,” about a Confederate general, clocked in at #9 as the author continued her speaking rounds. Steve Troutman grabbed #10 with “The Penns’ Manor of Spread Eagle and the Grist Mills of the Mahantongo Valley.” Steve continues to make appearances upstate. Joe Fair’s Viet Nam memoir “Call Sign Dracula” continues to sell well among the veterans, ranking #11. R Michael Philips’ “Between Good and Evil” inched up to #12 as he continues to make author appearances in the Philadelphia area. Bob Walton’s “The Mask of Minos” debuted at #13 thanks to author activities. Wade Fowler’s “Rising Sun Descending” charted at #14 in advance of Jubilee Day in Mechanicsburg. Anthony Julian’s “Pit Bulls” returned to the chart at #15 as interest in the breed continues to be strong. “Keystone Tombstones Civil War” by Joe Farrell, Joe Farley, and Lawrence Knorr slotted in at #16 thanks to author activities. Haley Dean’s “Kepp It Blue” charted at #17 in advance of Jubilee Day. Catalina Petcov’s “Ionica” ranked #18 in advance of her author event in Lebanon, PA. Sheldon Munn’s “Freemasons at Gettysburg” held at #19 thanks to orders from gift shops in Gettysburg. Sharon Marchisello’s “Going Home” grabbed #21 in advance of Jubillee Day. “GXM731” by Terry Ray benefitted from orders from MUFON, taking #22. Ernie Marshall’s “That Night at Surigao” moved up to #23 due to continued interest in the subject matter. Michael Hawley’s “The Ripper’s Haunts” slipped to #24 but continues to get interest from Ripper fans. Catherine Jordan took #25 and #29 with “Seeking Samiel” and its sequel “The Bookseller’s Secret.” Catherine made appearances in the Harrisburg area. Tory Gates continues to promote his book “A Moment in the Sun,” and ranked #26. Joe Carvalko’s “Death by Internet” slotted in at #27 due to author activities. Matt Anderson’s “Pink Flamingos All Around” returned to the chart at #28. Keith Rommel’s promotinal activities pulled “The Devil Tree” onto the chart at #30.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Sunbury Press has released the bestsellers list for January, 2015. The late Beth Lancione’s Solomon Screen Owl Goes to the Galapagos was #1, followed by Solomon Screech Owl’s First Flight. Lola James claimed the third spot with Flying Pants. All were childrens books benefitting from Children’s Day at the Sunbury Press Store.

About Solomon Screech Owl Goes to the Galapagos:
In the second of Solomon Screech Owl’s stories, Sollie travels, with help from some whales, to the Galapagos Islands, where he meets birds that seem very different from himself. As he gets to know them better, he comes to understand that they all have more in common than he first thought.

About the author & illustrator:
Beth and Kathy, with their husbands Mel Lancione and Gary Haney, visited the Galapagos Islands in 2005 and saw, at very close range, all of the fascinating creatures that Sollie encounters in this book.

Beth said, “A fellow traveler once told me, ‘If you go only one place in your life, go to Galapagos.’ I agree. I’ve been to many other places, but Galapagos is my favorite. I definitely wanted to show Sollie, and all of our readers, the wonders of these special, unique islands.”

Kathy said, “The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the earth’s unique birds and animals. There are few places in the world where you can have an upclose and personal interaction with wild creatures.

The Blue-Footed Boobies captured our imaginations, along with the iguanas, tortoises, and many other birds. We want to share our love of Galapagos with you.”

SUNBURY PRESS – Bestsellers for January, 2015 (by Revenue)

Rank

Last Month

Title

Author

Category

1

—

Solomon Screech Owl Goes to the Galapagos

Beth Lancione

Childrens

2

—

Solomon Screech Owl’s First Flight

Beth Lancione

Childrens

3

—

Flying Pants

Lola James

Childrens

4

4

As the Paint Dries

Carrie Wissler-Thomas

Art History

5

—

Jesus the Phoenician

Karim El Koussa

Relgious History

6

—

Shadows in the Shining City

John Cressler

Historical Fiction

7

2

Geology of the Mahanoy, Mahantongo and Lykens Valleys

Steve Troutman

Earth History

8

9

Call Sign Dracula

Joe Fair

War Memoir

9

11

Amelia Earhart: The Truth at Last

Mike Campbell

History

10

NEW

Beagle Tales 5

Bob Ford

Pet Humor

11

—

Petrified

Tanya Reimer

YA Fiction

12

1

Pit Bulls

Anthony Julian

History

13

—

Going Home

Sharon Marchisello

Thriller Fiction

14

18

Winter of the Metal People

Dennis Herrick

Historical Fiction

15

—

Emeralds of the Alhambra

John Cressler

HIstorical Fiction

16

3

Visions of Teaoga

Jim Remsen

YA Fiction

17

—

The Trevorton, Mahanoy and Susquehanna Railroad

Steve Troutman

History

18

—

Tulpehocken Trail Traces

Steve Troutman

History

19

—

The Phoenician Code

Karim El Koussa

Action Adventure

20

—

Whimsy and Wry

Guy Graybill

Literary Fiction

Sunbury Press had its best January ever, up nearly 3x from last January, and 4.5% from December. It was the first time in 5 years that January sales topped December. Hardcover books grabbed the top 4 spots in the bestseller rankings, dominated by the Children’s category. Trade paperback sales were double hardcover sales, and remain the most popular format. EBooks have slipped to third, amounting to only 5% of all sales. Hardcover sales were over 6x the eBook sales. EBook sales were up over last month, however, by nearly 20% thanks to price increases implemented after Christmas.

The three children’s books were helped by the standing-room only Children’s Day event at the Sunbury Press Store — more successful than the 10th Anniversary Party with Keith Rommel, Brahm Gallagher, and Bang. Ten Percent of all sales from that day were donated to help the Lanciones following the death of Beth, the author of the Solomon Screech Owl series, and her husband Mel. As the Paint Dries, Carrie Wissler-Thomas’s history of the Art Association of Harrisburg, co-authored by Michael Barton, held at #4 due to demand at the Art Association. Karim El Koussa’s Jesus the Phoenician(#5) and The Phoenician Code (#19) took two spots on the list due to export orders to Lebanon. John Cressler’s due, Shadows in the Shining City and Emeralds of the Alhambra grabbed #6 and #15 due to author events. Steve Troutman’s Geology of the Mahanoy, Mahantongo and Lykens Valleysheld at #7 thanks to author activities. Troutman also charted at #17 with The Trevorton, Mahanoy, and Mahantongo Railroad and #18 with Tulpehocken Trail Traces. Joe Fair’s Vietnam memoir Call Sign Dracula climbed the rankings to #8 thanks to author appearances. Mike Campbell’s Amelia Earhart: The Truth at Last inched up to #9 due to continued national media attention for the search for the aviatrix’s plane. Beagle Tales 5 debuted at #10 thanks to Bob Ford’s following. Petrified, the YA novel by Canadian Tanya Reimer, returned to the chart at #11 thanks to sales north of the border. Tony Julian’s Pit Bulls, available in both trade paperback and hardcover, slipped to #12 following a strong Christmas showing. Sharon Marchisello’s Going Home grabbed lucky #13 thanks to sales in the Southland in advance of her events. Winter of the Metal People, by Dennis Herrick, moved up to #14 thanks to author activities. Jim Remsen’s Visions of Teaga slipped to #16. Guy Graybill’s Whimsy and Wry rounded out the list, thanks to author activities.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Sunbury Press has released Dennis Herrick’s murder mystery novel A Brother’s Cold Case. The book had been previously self-published by the author.

About the Book:
When the murder of Andy Cornell’s brother is still unsolved after two and a half years, Andy enters Albuquerque’s hidden worlds of cartel violence, street people, and Pueblo secrets to find justice.

He and Rick were inseparable as boys. So Andy is determined as a newspaper’s police reporter to help the cold-case unit find a breakthrough on the murder of his detective brother.

Andy’s ex-wife, a cold-case detective he once loved, a Pueblo tribal policeman, a college history professor, and a homeless drug informant seem unlikely allies. But they help Andy untangle conflicting details about his brother’s cold case.

To solve Rick’s murder, Andy must prove his own innocence when he becomes the suspect in the homicides of another man and a long-time reporter friend.

What Others Are Saying:
“A Brother’s Cold Case is timely and compelling. This story of a reporter’s search to connect a series of unexplained deaths before he becomes the next victim could have been ripped from newspaper headlines. Complete with a harrowing Sandia Mountain ambush, a life-threatening fire, and a long-surviving Pueblo Indian community with closely held secrets, this mystery will keep you up at night. Dennis Herrick’s new book is a good tale well told.” —Anne Hillerman, author of Spider Woman’s Daughter and Rock With Wings

Excerpt:
Taking another swig caused him to look up. That’s when he realized the man had turned to walk toward him.

“Beat it,” he ordered the man.

The man continued walking toward him. Rick slid off the picnic table bench and rose to his feet. He didn’t want to be sitting if it came to fighting for his booze.

The man stopped on the other side of the table. He wore dark clothes and stared at Rick from under the bill of a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. His right arm extended toward Rick.

“What the hell you want?” Rick shook his doubled-up fists as a warning. “I told you to go away, you sonuvabitch. I mean it.”

The man seemed to smile as he stepped into a pool of light. Or was it a sneer? “Hello, Rick.”

Rick blinked. Another former cop? Not familiar. Who is this guy, Rick thought, and how does he know my name?

Rick grabbed his bottle and backed up a step. Now illumination from a park lamp glimmered on the steel pistol in the man’s right hand. A long sound suppressor extended from the barrel. With the table separating them, Rick couldn’t try to move closer and grab the gun as he’d been trained at the police academy years ago. Under the best of circumstances, that was hard to pull off anyway. Still, Rick thought, with the bourbon reassuring his brain of all things possible, maybe he could do it.

He moved sideways around the table to get closer. “Put the gun down,” he said as he took a step toward the man. He almost lost his balance, stepping sideways like that. “Put it away and just leave. We’ll pretend this never happened.”

Rick could see the man’s teeth gleam in the indirect light.

A rush, Rick thought. I’ll throw the bottle at him and rush him.

Rick was a split second from jumping at the man when his world ended.

About the Author:
Dennis Herrick writes mostly about the American Southwest, focusing on the Pueblo natives for his short stories, magazine articles, and his historical novel, Winter of the Metal People.

A Michigan native, he worked for and around newspapers all of his adult life as a daily newspaper reporter, a chief of staff handling press relations for a congressman, a weekly newspaper publisher and editor, a newspaper broker, and finally a full-time lecturer on journalism at the University of New Mexico.

He is a winner of the Tony Hillerman Mystery Contest and the Society of Southwestern Authors Contest.

He and his wife, Beatrice, have been married since 1967. They live along the west bank of the Rio Grande between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Winter of the Metal People

Despite the fact that so many public buildings, parks, and monuments throughout what is today America’s Southwest bear the name “Coronado,” Francisco Vásquez de Coronado’s 1540 expedition into that area was anything but successful. Searching for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold as far east as modern-day Kansas, Coronado’s expedition of Spanish conquistadores and their Aztec allies ran into the Puebloan tribes. Although the Spanish government had policies demanding the humane treatment of Indians throughout New Spain, Coronado’s foundering expedition treated the Puebloans ruthlessly in order to obtain food, clothing, and shelter. As a result, Coronado’s men became embroiled in a two-year-long war that eventually ended with the Spanish withdrawal back into Mexico; it would be almost fifty years before they returned.

Herrick fully enters the minds of his historical Spanish and Puebloan characters, showing the cultural and religious differences between the two cultures that would inevitably lead to the first Indian war. There is a saying that history belongs to the victors, so while much of the Spanish story is based upon historical written documents, the author had to imagine the Puebloans’ story. But his research is well founded, and what results is a balanced novel that expresses the worldviews of both sides and relates it in an exciting and interesting manner. This novel is highly recommended for those interested in the history of the American southwest and its native peoples.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — “Five Drops of Estrogen: A man’s tribute to womanhood and the undying power of humility, selflessness and sacrifice,” Nirmal Joshi’s book about the lives of five extraordinary women in his family, was #1 for the second month in a row thanks to author events. Dennis Herrick’s “Winter of the Metal People,” a novel about the Tiguex War between the Spanish and the Pueblo Indians in New Mexico, ranked #2 due to regional sales in New Mexico.

Sunbury Press’s year-to-date sales for 2013 are up 21% over 2012. EBook sales are up 13% over the year-to-date prior, lagging the growth in print sales. Sales for the quarter were even with 3rd quarter sales in 2012 as the company reported significant returns from book stores in August. Regarding the monthly performance, it was the best September ever for Sunbury.

Susan Dahlgren Daigneault’s “In the Shadow of a Mountain,” a memoir about her WW2 hero father Ed Dahlgren “The Sergeant York of Maine,” reappeared in the top 10 at #3, thanks to interest in New England.

T. Anderson’s “Stella Nova,” the second installment in the Stella Steinar series, debuted at #4 thanks to author activities.

The Joe’s — Farrell and Farley — took the 5th spot with “Keystone Tombstones Civil War” thanks to interest in the Gettysburg 150th anniversary, sales at the Gettysburg Visitors Center and author events.

John Lindermuth’s “Digging Dusky Diamonds,” a history of life in the Pennsylvania Coal Region, joined the list at #6 thanks to regional interest.

A. Gimbernat’s “The Lust for Reverance,” a scientific work connecting genetics to our desire to worship, ranked 7th, due to sales in France.

“The Trevorton, Mahanoy and Susquehanna Railroad,” Steve Troutma’s history of this defunct line, took the 8th spot thanks to author activities.

The company released four new titles during the month of September:
“Digging Dusky Diamonds” by John Lindermuth
“The Old Songs” by Fred Burton
“Letters from a Shoebox” by Jim Dohren
“Stella Nova” by T Anderson

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — “Raising Monarchs,” Sue Fox McGovern’s book about raising butterflies in the backyard, was #1 thanks to author events in Illinois. Dennis Herrick’s “Winter of the Metal People,” a historical novel about the Tiguex War in New Mexico ranked #2 due to author events in that state.

Sunbury’s sales for July 2013 were up 19% over July 2012, making it the best July ever for the company. Year to date, sales are up 32% over last year. EBook sales continued to be flat while print sales were up. “The eBook trend continues,” said publisher Lawrence Knorr. “The Nook platform is down 54% this month as compared to last year. Kindle is also down a bit. Our sales increase is primarily due to direct sales from our eCommerce site.”

Dr. Nirmal Joshi’s newly released “Five Drops of Estrogen,” a memoir about the female influences in his life, grabbed the 3rd spot thanks to author activity

The company released six new titles during the month of July:
“The Book of Zane” by Tess Almendarez Lojacono
“The Lust for Reverence” by A. Gimbernat
“A Dead Issue” by John Evans
“Love, Sex and Other Near Death Experiences” by Michael Brown
“Wild Life” by C. A. Masterson
“Five Drops of Estrogen” by Nirmal Joshi